WALNUT CREEK — A barbecue restaurant in downtown Walnut Creek tasted the wrong kind of smokiness Saturday evening when a fire forced an evacuation of staff and patrons, authorities said.
Crews from the Contra Costa Fire Protection District were called at 6:10 p.m. to Sauced BBQ & Spirits, on Locust Street between Bonanza and Cypress streets, for reports of heavy smoke emanating from the two-story building, fire Capt. Steve Aubert said.
All of the restaurant’s occupants were able to evacuate safely, and the fire was brought under control within 20 minutes, Aubert said. The fire made its way through both the first and second story, the latter of which houses offices, but an origin and cause were still under investigation.
There were no reported injuries to either patrons, staff, or firefighters, Aubert said.
Walnut Creek police sent out an alert around 6:45 p.m. telling motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area while fire crews and personnel tend to the fire site. Police announced about 30 minutes later that roads were re-opened.